Improvement in magazines for fire-arms



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOE V. MEIGS, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MAGAZINES FOR FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,623, dated December 8, 1874; application filed May 16, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J on V. MEIGS, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Magazines forFire- Arms, of which the following is a specification:

My improvement consists of a novel method of constructing magazines for fire-arms, of light material, so as to hold the greatest numrof cartridges in a given space in position 1or rapid use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective ofa piece of a magazine With its slotted tubes openinginwardly. Fig. 2 is; a similar view of a piece of one of such tubes, showing a mode of fastening independent springs. Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of the springs detached. Fig. 5 is a similar vi w of a part of a tube, showing the springs as fastened in. Figs. 6 and 7 are an end and a side view of an end piece for a magazine. Fig. 8 is an end view of a modification of an inward-opening magazine. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a part of a magazine, showing notches near the front end, through which the stop-lug passes. Fig. 10 is an end view of a four-tube magazine, showing its construction; and Fig. 11 is a view showing how the cartridges are retained in proper position in the slotted tubes.

Three, four, five, six, or any number of tubes, A, are slotted throughout their whole length so as to admit of the cartridges being inserted in them, and prevent them from falling out of themselves when held horizontally, and so that a suitable mechanism, or part of the gun to which the magazine may be applied, can propel them forward. These tubes are arranged in several forms. In one, the backs are fastened together with ribs between them, as shown in Fig. 9. Springs B are cut the feeding apparatus.

out of or are fastened in the tubes at the distances apart ot the lengths of the cartridges, so as to prevent the retrograde movement of the cartridges, and so as to hold them from slipping about. End pieces 0, Figs. 6 and 7, are prepared with pivot-holes, and fastened securely into the ends of the joined tubes; or, if the magazine-tubes open inwardly, a ring or other suitable contrivance may joint them, to hold them in position, or by which to revolve them. Ratchets for revolving the magazine may be cut in the face of the end plates. In the case of the magazine of slotted tubes which open outwardly, or in the case of the. tubes which open inwardly, upon a ring surrounding the tubes, a volute spring may be applied to the end of the magazine, which, when closed in its receptacle in the stock, may be released at proper intervals, so as to revolve the magazine, thus presenting the successive tubes to That the spring may not spend its force without result, notches D are made in the magazine at its forward end, through which a stop, fastened to the receptacle of the magazine, may come in contact with the cartridges in the tubes,thus prevent ing the revolution of the magazine until the presented tube is empty; or other means may be used suitable to the gun or cannon to which it may be applied.

I claim as my invention A magazine, consisting of a series of parallel channels or open tubes, embracing the cartridges sufficiently to prevent their lateral displacement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOE. V. MEIGS.

WVitnesses:

J 013 BARNARD, JAS. UROGGON. 

